Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona has said the distribution of 20 000 copies of Shona and Ndebele versions of the Highway Code will begin this week.
Authorities are also working towards translating the Highway Code into the remaining 13 official languages.
The minister also said additional copies will be printed based on demand. He told <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/shona-ndebele-highway-code-out-this-week">The Sunday Mail</a>:
<blockquote>
An initial number of 10 000 books for each language is currently under production and these are expected to be available to the public on November 4, 2022. Additional copies will be printed to order based on demand.
Some people understand the processes and systems of driving concepts better in their native languages than the foreign language, and no one will be hindered from obtaining a driver’s licence due to the language barrier. I am pleased to advise that the translation process for the Highway Code as well as road and traffic charts has now been completed.
</blockquote>
The minister also said sample copies in the two languages were printed, presented to Cabinet and subsequently launched officially, and an order for the actual production of the books has been submitted, with production work in progress.
The Highway Code, which will be available for US$5 or the local currency equivalent at the official exchange rate, seeks to highlight the main legal, regulatory and practical aspects of road usage.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the translation of the Highway Code should help reduce violations of traffic laws.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Pindula News

Shona And Ndebele Versions Of The Highway Code Out This Week

Harare East Member of Parliament, Tendai Biti (CCC), has urged the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona to revise the highway code.
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Biti said the enactment of strict driving rules will reduce road carnage. He said:
<blockquote>
We want the Minister to ensure that there is a revolution, a revising of the Highway Code so that we have a strict regime of driving, driver qualifications, retesting, and a points system.
A lot of these road traffic accidents are happening due to negligence. Unlicensed drivers, drunken drivers, speeding drivers, tired and exhausted drivers, and unfit vehicles are on the streets.
Road accidents are now so numerous in our country that they have now become the third highest killer of persons in our country after non-communicable diseases, Tuberculosis, and then road traffic accidents.
</blockquote>
Biti was speaking following a fatal road traffic accident in Nyanga on 14 October that claimed the lives of six Tynwald High School pupils.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and eyewitnesses, the driver of the bus was speeding and failed to negotiate a curve, causing the bus to overturn and land on its roof. | <a href="https://openparly.com/4-reasons-why-biti-wants-highway-code-revised/">Open Parly</a>

Biti Wants Highway Code Revised

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a campaign against errant drivers, traffic offenders and illegal transport operators (mushikashika) during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays to curb road carnage.
ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the operation will be carried out from Friday until Tuesday. He said:
<blockquote>
I want to assure the public that when we are conducting these campaigns with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, we will impound all unroadworthy vehicles. So drivers are warned.
We will also ensure that those who are carrying any load which is above the capacity stipulated of their they are arrested.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) chairperson Kura Sibanda urged road users to adhere to the rules of the road. Sibanda said:
<blockquote>
Increased volumes of traffic will be on our roads as the public uses this period to engage in social, cultural and religious activities.
As witnessed by the Chimanimani fatal road crash that happened earlier this year, those that travel to church gatherings tend to overload passengers and goods.
We have also noticed an increased number of unlicenced drivers ferrying these people to and from church gatherings and conferences.
We, therefore, urge them to avoid overloading and ensure that the drivers responsible for their travels are licenced.
When travelling at night, we encourage pedestrians to wear bright colours or reflective clothing so that motorists can see them from a distance.
We urge all road users to adhere to the rules of the road.
</blockquote>
Both Asst Comm Nyathi and the TSCZ chairman were speaking at the launch of the Shona and Ndebele versions of the Highway Code on Thursday in Harare.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/police-to-lunch-new-anti-mushikashika-blitz-ahead-of-heroes-holiday/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/shona-ndebele-highway-code-launched/">The Herald</a>

Police Launch New Anti-mushikashika Blitz

The government has translated the Highway Code into Shona and Ndebele, and printed copies are available at a cost of US$5 each or the equivalent in local currency.
The government is working on translating the highway code into the remaining 13 other official languages, that is, Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Khoisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani, Sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa.
Until now the Highway Code was available only in English. The two editions were then launched on Thursday by Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) chairperson Kura Sibanda in Harare.
Speaking during the ceremony, Sibanda said the Highway Code was translated and published in Shona and Ndebele to include everyone in the learning process of road rules and regulations. Said Sibanda:
<blockquote>
It is with utmost satisfaction that I announce to you today that we have completed the process of converting the English Highway Code to Shona and Ndebele versions.
The establishment of Shona and Ndebele version of the Highway Code became a very important factor on the council’s agenda as it was aimed at incorporating everyone in the learning process of the rules and regulations of the road.
The conversion of this code enabled us to work within the parameters of the National Development Strategy 1 of inclusivity where nobody should be left behind.
We must work harder to reverse the tide and preserve human lives on our roads. Through a collaborative effort, we can find new and creative ways to make decisive interventions in this regard.
We simply cannot continue using the same tactics that have not worked in the past, hoping to achieve different results.
Hence, we embrace the coming in of this innovation of translating the Highway Code into various languages.
</blockquote>
The Greater Harare Association of Commuter Omnibus Operators (GHACOO) welcomed the development. GHACOO vice chairperson Caleb Dominic Bepeta said:
<blockquote>
The launch of the Highway Code in the vernacular languages of Shona and Ndebele is also a momentous occasion for which we applaud TSCZ and the ministry for achieving.
Our drivers are critical and their learning tools need to be available in languages they will understand as this will also assist us in achieving the World Health Organisation decade of action.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/shona-ndebele-highway-code-launched/">The Herald</a>

Shona, Ndebele Highway Code Launched

The highway code could soon be available in all the country’s 16 official languages to allow prospective driver’s licence holders to write their provisional licence tests in their vernacular.
The 2013 Constitution recognises Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa as official languages in Zimbabwe.
Currently, Zimbabwe’s provisional driver’s licence tests are conducted only in English.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, told Parliament on Wednesday that the tests will also be in a pictorial format to cater for the illiterate. Mhona said:
<blockquote>
After translating the Highway Code into all the languages, when attempting their (learner drivers) tests, they will use their language of choice.
If you learnt in English, you will also write the test in English, nothing will change.
For those who are illiterate in the SADC region, we are going to use the pictorial form for road signs.
He also said Midlands State University (MSU) has been contracted to translate the Highway Code.
</blockquote>
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Amon Murwira said those tasked with the translation process will be done by end of this year.
<h4>More: <a href="https://thestandard.newsday.co.zw/2022/04/17/shona-ndebele-highway-code-to-be-rolled-out/">The Standard</a></h4>

Shona, Ndebele Highway Code To Be Rolled Out

Zimbabwe has adopted a new Highway code which has officially adopted the SADC signs and signals. All road users are expected to know the new Highway Code and abide by it.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo, said driving was a privilege and not a right. Said Gumbo:
<blockquote>To all road users, the upgraded version of the Highway Code is a must-have. It has specific rules for all categories of road users.
My Ministry in terms of Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act Chapter 13.11, promulgated the Road Traffic Signs and Signals regulations Statutory Instrument 41 of 216.This legalised the SADC signs and signals, making them enforceable from that date.
I would like to appeal to all road authorities, including our own department of roads, all urban councils and rural district councils to ensure that they erect the new signs and signals and other devices as required by Statutory Instrument 41 of 2016 and the SADC design manual.</blockquote>
More:<a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/latest-government-launches-new-highway-code/"> Herald</a>

Zimbabwe adopts new Highway Code

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister, Dr Joram Gumbo on Wednesday told the Parliament that Government will introduce an upgraded Highway Code with traffic signs in the SADC region on March 30.
Said Gumbo:
<blockquote>An upgraded Highway Code encompassing SADC signs is set to be launched on March 30, 2017. I urge Members of Parliament and the public to familiarise themselves with the contents of the code.</blockquote>
He also revealed that they were also setting up measures to curb corruption with learner drivers having to pick a ball from a basket with an office number leading them to the officer who will take them for the test. Gumbo also said there were plans to introduce road safety into the school currriculum.
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/new-highway-code-on-the-cards/">Chronicle</a>

Highway Code Latest News

Latest Jobs